The USGS says a strong preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. The USGS says the quake struck early Tuesday evening local time at a depth of about 237 km (148 miles). Earthquakes at shallower depths are felt more strongly at the surface. The jolt was centered at sea, 153 km (95 miles) west of Neiafu, the second largest town in the island nation. There were no immediate reports of damage. Tonga’s National Disaster Risk Management Office has warned all in the low-lying island nation to move immediately to higher ground or inland. The USGS did not immediately list a tsunami warning for the region.
